In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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